Q - Where do I purchase your products? Do you work with a distributor?
A - You can purchase our gear directly from us, send us an email with your order or simply call us. And, no, at this time we are NOT working with any distributor anywhere.
Q - Would this work with any controller or valve or do I need to buy a new controller and valve?
A - Our gear works with any standard 24V controller. As for valves, our gear works with almost all valves out there for landscaping and general irrigation.
Q - Can you recommend a valve or a controller?
A - We rather NOT do that, but we can point you to some folks who would be able to help you out with that decision. We are not in the business of valves or controllers and hate to give advice on those, good or bad.
Q - I got a house with "so-&-so" controller and "so-&-so" size and I need one valve to be connected to the controller, can I use your gear?
A - Short answer is YES. Our gear is really not a good fit for average homes due to the cost. But, we will sell it to you if you want or need it. We have been saving a good deal time and money for schools, farms, office complexes and HOA's due to the need to extensive digging and trenching and longer distance between valves and controller. Average homes are NOT that big, no matter how much they cost.
Q - Is this a WiFi or Bluetooth? Can I control your gear from my cell phone? You have an Ap for this?
A - Answer is a solid NO to all of these question. Our gear runs on a 900MHz frequency, and it is a closed system so communication is only between the transmitter and receiver boxes we provide.
Q - How the solar panel connected to the box? Are they outside the box?
A - The solar panel in all of our products are inside the box. The box has a clear cover, so everything is inside the box and you don't have to worry about installing the solar panel.
Q - Do these devices work around corner of a building? What if there is a wall or some trees and shrubs? Does it have to be line of sight?
A - The devices will operate even if they are NOT in line of sight. The distance would highly be dependent on what is between the transmitter and receiver. A stucco wall (with the "chicken wire" in it) or steel framed building would reduce the range quickly, every wall would reduce the range. Trees are generally not an issue, unless we are talking about a bunch of them like in an orchard, then antennas have to be raised above the canopies.
Q - Would your products work with a 2-wire system?
A - Yes
Q - How does the transmitters are powered? Do they need an extra power source like a 12V or 5V supply?
A - NO, no need for additional power source. Transmitters are powered directly from the controller, there is NO need to additional power source.
Q - How can we extend the range?
A - We used a Yagi antenna for the receiver and managed to get 3 miles of range with bunch of trees and buildings and couple barns in the middle. The antenna was placed about 16 feet above ground. We can customize the box for an external antenna and ship the antenna and box to you with needed hardware to mount them.
Q - Can the receivers be placed in a valve box? There is a solar panel so would it work in a valve box?
A - Yes, VCB-1117 is built for that purpose. We can customize a larger or smaller valve cover if needed, just call us and let us know.
Q - Can we place the transmitters inside the metal box that houses the controller?
A - Yes, BUT the antenna needs to be placed outside the metal box. We will provide needed antenna and cable for your project if the controller needs to be placed in a metal box. RF signals die in a metal box, that is how things are just like cell phone signal in a metal frame building.
Q - Do you do custom solutions if we have a need for it?
A - Yes.
Q - Do I need to have direct sun light all the time on the receiver? Do the receivers need sunlight "all the time"?
A - Yes. We recommend direct sun light, 4 hours a day minimum.
Q - Is there a battery inside the receiver?
A - Yes, the battery runs the valve and it would be trickle charged by the solar panel. The solar panel is NOT running the solenoid on the valve.
Q - How long is the warranty?
A - Three years.
Q - Do I need to buy a different controller?
A - If you have a controller and if it works for you, then you can use what you have. If you do not have a controller, then you need one. All of our devices work with any standard 24V controller, they also work with 2-wire systems.
Q - Can I use your product outside USA? Will you ship to outside to USA?
A - Our gear is only certified by FCC here in USA, so we will not ship it outside USA under any condition.